Five of the trust's 15 PICU beds are based at the unit. The remaining 10 are at Highbury Hospital, in Bulwell.

According to the National Association of Psychiatric Intensive Care and Low Secure Units, PICUs are for patients who are in an "acutely disturbed phase of a serious mental disorder" and there is an associated risk "which does not allow their safe, therapeutic management and treatment in a less acute or less secure mental health ward".

Read More

It is not yet clear how much funding is being cut from Nottinghamshire Healthcare's budget but a spokeswoman confirmed the review of the beds.

She said: "Nottinghamshire Healthcare can confirm that it has been asked to develop proposals for changes in how mental health services are delivered across Greater Notts.

The beds under review are based at Millbrook Mental Health Unit (Image: Google)

"Plans are being developed for a number of services and the future of our PICU is being considered, as to how this service could be best delivered. These beds could, for instance, be used for acute mental health beds.

"We are working hard with our commissioners to make these difficult decisions to minimise the impact of these cuts on our service users and in cases of significant change will consult with people around our proposals. Final figures have not been confirmed as the proposals are still being worked through."

Read More

Asked what would happen to patients if the ward is closed, the spokeswoman said: "We would ensure appropriate alternative services arranged on an individual basis to best suit each patient's needs.

"Requests for future PICU admission would be considered by a rigorous clinical criteria and appropriate alternative services arranged."

Simon Castle, commissioning lead for mental health at NHS Nottingham City Clinical Commissioning Group, said services are being reviewed in response to "the wider challenge facing the NHS".

He said: "At this stage we are trying to find savings across all areas of health spending, and need to involve local providers in shaping services in line with NHS England priorities.

"To achieve this we plan to work with patients, staff and service users to make sure every pound of available budget is invested in the most clinically effective areas. However, it would be premature to describe any proposals for changes until we have properly engaged with service users.

Read More

"Proposals developed by the trust around the use of psychiatric intensive care beds are at an early stage and will not proceed without a clear strategy that represents the best interests of the patients currently on the unit."

Michelle Livingston, interim executive chair of Healthwatch Nottinghamshire, was concerned to hear about the review.

She said: "Healthwatch are concerned that reducing the number of PICU beds in Nottinghamshire may adversely impact patient experience.

"We are aware that against a backdrop of increasing pressures on funding available across the health and care system, both locally and nationally, there will be some difficult decisions about how services are delivered.

"Healthwatch would want to see, and have received reassurances, that any proposed changes would be shared with people across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and that people would be given the opportunity to comment through meaningful engagement and consultation."